How have nearly 3,000 Africans adopted Bitcoin—often called “the internet of money”—without actually having access to the internet?

The answer lies with Machankura, a tool built by software developer Kgothatso Ngako for using Bitcoin with nothing but a feature phone. No computer, smartphone, or internet service is required. 

“I had set up a raspberry pi running both a Bitcoin and Lightning node and was trying to figure out what I could build on top of it,” Ngako told Decrypt via direct message. “A USSD project was intriguing because quite a lot of African Bitcoiners were already talking about building a wallet for feature phone users.”

USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a protocol used in telecommunications networks for sending short text messages. It’s similar to Interactive Voice Response, with which a mobile network operator’s customer service might tell you which numbers to press for accessing a particular service, but in text form.

With Machankura, mobile phone users across a range of African countries can access the app by dialing a specific code, depending on their location and the service they wish to access. Its services include sending or receiving Bitcoin, checking one’s balance, or even bartering Bitcoin for goods and services on Go to Source to See Full Article
Author: Andrew Throuvalas

Did you like this?
Tip BTC Newswire with Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Cash
• Ethereum
• Litecoin
• Monero
• ZCash

Donate Bitcoin to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some bitcoin:

Donate via Installed Wallet Copy

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details

Donate Bitcoin Cash to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send bitcoin:

Donate via Installed Wallet Copy

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details

Donate Ethereum to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Ether:

Donate via Installed Wallet Copy

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details

Donate Litecoin to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Litecoin:

Donate via Installed Wallet Copy

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details

Donate Monero to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Monero:

Donate via Installed Wallet Copy

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details

Donate ZCash to BTC Newswire

Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some ZCash:

Copy ZCash Address

[X] Click Here to Hide Donation Details